We have set out below some of the issues you will need to consider if you are contemplating selling your goods or services online for the first time. 

1. Business and Legal Considerations

• Determine Online Sales Goals
  Define whether you are selling locally, nationally, or internationally and the expected scale of operations.
• Legal Compliance
  Ensure you comply with UK laws, including the Consumer Contracts Regulations, GDPR for data protection, and any industry-specific regulations.
• Tax Obligations
  Register for VAT if required and understand how online sales affect your tax responsibilities, including cross-border VAT rules.
• Business Structure
  Check if your current business structure supports online trading, or if adjustments are needed (e.g., sole trader, limited company).

2. Products and Services

• Catalogue Your Offering
  Create a detailed inventory of goods or services, including descriptions, prices, and stock levels.
• Pricing Strategy
  Consider online pricing, factoring in delivery costs, transaction fees, and competitors’ pricing.

3. Online Store Setup

• Choose a Platform
  Select a suitable e-commerce platform like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Squarespace, or consider marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy.
• Domain Name and Hosting
  Secure a domain name that reflects your business and arrange reliable hosting services.
• Website Design
  Ensure the site is user-friendly, visually appealing, mobile-responsive, and has clear navigation.

4. Payment and Security

• Payment Gateways
  Set up secure payment options (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, or credit card processors).
• SSL Certificate
  Install an SSL certificate to encrypt customer data and build trust.
• Fraud Prevention
  Implement measures to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions.

5. Shipping and Delivery

• Delivery Options
  Decide on shipping providers and delivery timescales, offering options such as standard, express, or free delivery.
• Returns and Refunds
  Develop a clear returns and refunds policy in line with legal requirements and display it prominently.

6. Marketing and Branding

• Brand Identity
  Establish a consistent brand, including logo, colours, and messaging, to stand out online.
• SEO and Content
  Optimise your website for search engines with keywords, quality content, and blog posts to attract traffic.
• Social Media and Advertising
  Set up social media accounts and consider paid advertising, email campaigns, or affiliate marketing.

7. Customer Support

• Contact Channels
  Provide easy ways for customers to reach you, such as live chat, email, or a helpline.
• FAQs and Policies
  Include an FAQ section and make terms and conditions readily available.

8. Analytics and Feedback

• Track Performance
  Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor traffic, sales, and customer behaviour.
• Customer Feedback
  Encourage reviews and feedback to improve your service and build trust.

This checklist provides a reasonable foundation to help you transition into online selling smoothly and successfully. Please get in touch if you would like our help preparing a budget and forecast to assess viability.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has scheduled the UK’s Spring Statement for 26 March 2025. This event will feature the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) latest economic and fiscal forecasts, accompanied by a parliamentary statement from the Chancellor. Reeves has emphasized her commitment to delivering one major fiscal event annually to provide stability and certainty for families and businesses, supporting the government’s growth mission. 

While the Spring Statement is not traditionally a full budget, it offers an opportunity to address pressing economic issues. Given the current economic challenges, including a £22 billion deficit in public finances and recent economic contractions, there is speculation about potential adjustments to previously announced measures.

One area of focus is the planned increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Set to rise to 15% on salaries above £5,000 from April 2025, this proposal has faced significant backlash from businesses and the charity sector. Experts suggest that the Spring Statement could be an opportunity for the Chancellor to reconsider or modify this measure to alleviate concerns. 

Additionally, the government has announced plans for a multi-year Spending Review, now scheduled to conclude in June 2025. This review aims to embed a mission-led approach, drive public service reform, and optimize the use of technology in service delivery. The outcomes of this review will set spending plans for at least three years, influencing future fiscal policies and priorities. 

In the lead-up to the Spring Statement, various sectors are voicing their concerns and expectations. For instance, the farming industry is organizing a UK-wide day of action on 25 January to protest proposed inheritance tax changes affecting family farms. Such demonstrations highlight the pressures on the Chancellor to address sector-specific issues in her forthcoming statement. 

It’s also worth noting that the Spring Statement will occur amidst ongoing economic challenges, including sluggish growth and high inflation. The Chancellor has expressed her determination to restore economic stability and has indicated that while the Spring Statement may not introduce new tax hikes or increased borrowing, it will provide an update on the government’s fiscal strategy and economic outlook. 

In summary, while the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025 is not expected to serve as a full budget, it presents an opportunity for the Chancellor to provide updates on the UK’s economic situation, potentially adjust previously announced measures, and outline the government’s fiscal strategy in response to current economic challenges.

The ongoing refusal of the UK government to compensate women affected by changes to the state pension age, often referred to as WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) claimants, continues to provoke widespread criticism. This controversy centres around women born in the 1950s who were significantly impacted by the transition from a state pension age of 60 to 66, introduced in the Pensions Act 1995 and accelerated by the Pensions Act 2011. Many argue that the lack of adequate notice left them unprepared, causing severe financial hardship and emotional distress.

The WASPI campaign highlights the struggles of women who, having worked and contributed to the state pension system for decades, found themselves blindsided by the pension age changes. While the government insists these reforms were necessary to ensure the sustainability of the pension system and to address gender inequality in retirement ages, critics argue that the abrupt nature of the changes disproportionately affected this group of women. For many, the issue lies not with the equalisation itself but with the failure to provide sufficient warning and transitional arrangements.

A key grievance among WASPI women is the absence of proper compensation for the financial and emotional damage caused. Many of these women were relying on receiving their pensions at 60, having made life plans and financial decisions based on this expectation. The sudden extension of their working years, often without the chance to save more or adjust plans, has pushed thousands into financial precarity. Some were forced to take on unsuitable jobs, dip into savings, or rely on benefits, undermining the dignity and security they had expected in their later years.

The government’s refusal to compensate these women has been particularly contentious given findings from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The Ombudsman found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was guilty of maladministration, citing its failure to adequately communicate the changes to affected women. Despite this ruling, the government has maintained its stance, arguing that compensation is not warranted and claiming that the measures were implemented fairly.

This position has sparked outrage among campaigners, many of whom view it as an abdication of responsibility. WASPI campaigners have consistently argued that the government’s failure to act on the Ombudsman’s findings undermines public trust in institutions and suggests a lack of accountability. The refusal to provide redress has also intensified calls for judicial review and further legal challenges, as many affected women refuse to accept the decision without a fight.

Critics of the government’s approach point to the broader societal implications of ignoring the plight of WASPI women. This case raises fundamental questions about fairness, justice, and the treatment of citizens who have contributed to the welfare state. Many believe that the government’s intransigence risks alienating a generation of women who feel betrayed by the system.

Ultimately, the WASPI controversy reflects a broader tension between fiscal responsibility and social justice. While the government prioritises managing public finances, the affected women argue that their sacrifice has come at an unacceptable cost. As the campaign for compensation continues, the government’s refusal to act remains a stain on its commitment to fairness and equality. Without resolution, the issue is likely to remain a significant point of contention in public discourse.

Can’t pay your tax bill in full by 31 January 2025? HMRC’s online Time to Pay system lets self-assessment taxpayers spread the cost over monthly instalments. With plans available for tax bills up to £30,000, this flexible option can help you avoid late payment penalties.

Those eligible for the self-serve option can arrange payments online without needing to contact an HMRC adviser. HMRC has revealed that more than 15,000 taxpayers have already set up a Time to Pay payment plan for the 2023-24 tax year.

To qualify for the online Time to Pay option, taxpayers must meet these conditions:

• No outstanding tax returns
• No other tax debts
• No existing HMRC payment plans

For taxpayers who do not meet these requirements or owe more than £30,000, other payment arrangements may be available. These are typically agreed on a case-by-case basis, tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities, allowing businesses and individuals to pay off their debt over time.

HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

We’re here to help customers get their tax right and if you are worried about how to pay your self-assessment bill, help and support is available. Customers can set up their online payment plan to suit their own financial circumstances and can spread those payments across a maximum of 12 months. It is a valuable option for someone needing extra flexibility in meeting their tax obligations.

Selling online? From 2024, digital platforms must report your information to HMRC if sales exceed £1,700 or 30 goods a year. Casual sellers are exempt, but regular traders may need to register for Self-Assessment.

New rules, which became effective from 1 January 2024, require digital platform operators in the UK to collect and verify information about sellers on their platforms. The first reports due under these new rules must be submitted by 31 January 2025. HMRC has released a press release to make it clear that the tax rules for sellers have not changed despite rumours to the contrary.

These new rules mean that if you are using online platforms to sell goods or services, any pertinent information collected about you between 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 will be reported to HMRC by 31 January 2025. The information will only be shared with HMRC if you sell 30 or more goods or earn approximately £1,700 (equivalent to EURO2,000) or more in a calendar year. The online sellers are also required to give you a copy of the reported information. This can help if you have to make tax returns.

HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said:

We cannot be clearer – if you are not trading and just occasionally sell unwanted items online – there is no tax due. As has always been the case, some people who are trading through websites or selling services online may need to be paying tax and registering for self-assessment.

You may need to register for self-assessment and pay tax if you:

• buy goods for resale or make goods with the intention of selling them for a profit;
• offer a service through a digital platform – such as being a delivery driver or letting out a holiday home through a website;
• AND generate a total income from trading or providing services online of more than £1,000 before deducting expenses in any tax year.

Scammers are on the rise as the Self-Assessment deadline nears! HMRC warns  that HMRC never emails or texts about tax refunds. Stay alert, report suspicious contacts, and protect your money from fraudsters.

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting taxpayers with scam emails as the deadline for submitting self-assessment returns for the 2023-24 tax year approaches. Between November 2023 and October 2024, HMRC received over 144,000 reports of suspicious contact, nearly 72,000 of which involved fake tax rebate claims. There has been a significant rise in scam emails compared to the previous year.

These scams often claim that taxpayers are entitled to a rebate or refund from HMRC and request bank or credit card details to process the non-existent refund. Fraudsters use various methods, including phone calls, text messages, and emails, and may even threaten victims with arrest or imprisonment if a fabricated tax bill is not paid immediately.

HMRC works to identify and shut down scams but continues to urge taxpayers to be vigilant and avoid falling victim. Remember, HMRC only contacts individuals due a refund by post-never via email, phone, text, or third-party companies. Legitimate organizations like HMRC and banks will never ask for your PIN, password, or bank details.

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from HMRC, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. For suspicious texts, text 60599, and for fraudulent calls, report them via GOV.UK. If you have lost money, contact Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or report online. In Scotland, contact the Police on 101.

HMRC’s Chief Security Officer at HMRC, said:

‘With millions of people filing their Self-Assessment return before January’s deadline, we’re warning everyone to be wary of emails promising tax refunds.

Being vigilant helps you spot potential scams. And reporting anything suspicious helps us stop criminal activity and to protect you and others who could have received similar bogus communication.

Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t rush into anything, take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.’

Scotland’s 2024 Budget delivers on public priorities with investments in services, poverty reduction, and economic growth. Tax rates stay frozen, but bands shift to protect low incomes. A hopeful step forward for Scotland’s future!

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary, Shona Robison delivered her second Budget statement to the Scottish parliament on 4 December 2024.

The Finance Secretary said the following:

‘I am proud to present a budget that delivers on the priorities of the people of Scotland. Parliament can show that we understand the pressures people are facing. We can choose to come together to bring hope to people, to renew our public services, and deliver a wealth of new opportunities in our economy.

This Budget invests in public services, lifts children out of poverty, acts in the face of the climate emergency, and supports jobs and economic growth.

It is a budget filled with hope for Scotland’s future, and I look forward to working with all parties in Parliament to secure agreement around its provisions.’

The measures announced for next year are expected to raise an additional £1.7 billion in Income Tax revenue compared to if the Scottish Government had followed UK Government policy.

There were no changes announced to the Scottish Income Tax rates, which will be frozen until at least the end of the current Parliament. The Starter rate band is set to increase by 22.6% and the Basic rate band by 6.6% in 2025-26. This means that a larger portion of people’s income will be taxed at the starter and basic rates helping to protect lower income households.

The proposed Scottish rates and bands for 2025-26 are as follows:

The standard personal allowance remains frozen at £12,570.

The Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) for the land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) increased from 6% to 8% with effect from 5 December 2024. The ADS is an extra charge added to any LBTT that may be due when purchasing an additional residential property in Scotland. No other changes to LBTT were announced.

The standard rate of Scottish landfill tax will rise to £126.15 per tonne and the lower rate to £4.05 per tonne from April 2025 maintaining alignment with the corresponding taxes in the rest of the UK.

The Budget measures are subject to final approval by the Scottish parliament.

1 January 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 March 2024

19 January 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 January 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 January 2025).

19 January 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 January 2025.

19 January 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 January 2025 is payable by today.

31 January 2025 – Last day to file 2023-24 self-assessment tax returns online.

31 January 2025 – Balance of self-assessment tax owing for 2023-24 due to be settled on or before today unless you have elected to extend this deadline by formal agreement with HMRC. Also due is any first payment on account for 2024-25.

1 February 2025 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 30 April 2024.

19 February 2025 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 February 2025. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 February 2025)

19 February 2025 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 February 2025.

19 February 2025 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 February 2025 is payable by today.

Over one million parents have now claimed Child Benefit online or via the HMRC app, with 87% of new claims using this speedy service. If you’ve recently had a baby or a child joins your family, applying online ensures you get support quickly – right when you need it most.

HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“Having a baby is a busy and expensive time but claiming Child Benefit online or via the app means you’ll get cash in your bank account as soon as possible. Claim now and you could get your first payment in time for your baby’s first Christmas. Download the HMRC app today.”

You can apply for Child Benefit starting the day after you register your child’s birth or when a child comes to live with you. Claims can be backdated up to 12 weeks. Applying online is usually the fastest way to complete your claim.

If you are unable to claim online, you can complete the Child Benefit form CH2 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. The address can be found on the form. If you are claiming for more than two children, you will need to complete the additional child form CH2(CS) and send it with your CH2 form. Alternatively, you can contact HMRC by phone if online or postal methods are not suitable.

Child Benefit is typically available for children who move to the UK. However, there are certain requirements that must be met to claim. If a child receiving Child Benefit moves permanently abroad, HMRC must be notified as soon as possible.

The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family is currently £25.60 a week and the weekly rate for all other children is £16.95. The rates are set to increase to £26.05 and £17.25 respectively from April 2025.

Do you have a zero target for your Inbox or are you the victim of an ever growing list of emails?

This post sets out a number of ideas that you may want to consider starting 2025 with an ambition to restore sanity to your email management.

Adopt the “Inbox Zero” Mentality
Aim to keep your inbox as close to empty as possible by the end of the day. Treat your inbox as a temporary holding area, not long-term storage.

Set Aside Specific Times for Emails
Allocate 2-3 dedicated times per day to check and respond to emails. Turn off notifications to avoid constant interruptions.

Prioritise with Rules and Filters
Use your email client’s filtering system to automatically sort incoming emails into folders based on importance or category. Mark newsletters, promotions, and non-urgent messages to skip your inbox and go directly to a specific folder.

Unsubscribe Ruthlessly
Unsubscribe from newsletters or mailing lists you no longer find useful. Use tools like Unroll.me or perform a manual clear-out.

Use Folders and Labels
Create folders or labels for common categories such as “Invoices”, “Clients”, “Personal”, etc. File emails immediately after reading or replying.

The Two-Minute Rule
If an email takes less than two minutes to address, deal with it immediately. For more complex emails, move them to a “To Do” folder or add them to your task list.

Leverage Email Tools and Features
Use tools like Snooze (Gmail) or Schedule Send for reminders and timely replies. Use canned responses or templates for repetitive emails.

Avoid Email as a Chat Tool
If the discussion requires multiple back-and-forth messages, consider a quick phone call or a chat app instead. Keep emails concise to reduce the risk of long, time-consuming threads.

Set Clear Expectations
Let colleagues or clients know your typical response time to manage their expectations. Add an out-of-office or delayed response note if you’re unable to reply quickly.

Regularly Declutter
Spend a few minutes weekly deleting or archiving old emails. Use the search function to find and delete large or unnecessary files clogging your storage.

Use Multiple Email Accounts
Keep work, personal, and subscriptions/emails-for-signups separate. This makes it easier to focus on what’s important in each account.

Limit Forwarding and CC-Ing
Avoid unnecessarily forwarding or CC-ing emails to others, as this can contribute to clutter on both sides. Politely discourage others from CC-ing you unless it’s essential.

Archive Don’t Delete
Archive emails you might need later instead of deleting them. This helps you maintain a clean inbox while still having access to old information.

Use a Task Manager
Convert actionable emails into tasks using apps like Todoist, Trello, or Microsoft To Do. This separates your to-do list from your inbox, reducing mental clutter.

Review Before Logging Off
Spend 5-10 minutes at the end of your day reviewing your inbox. Respond to quick messages and file or snooze what remains.

Final Thought
The key to inbox management is consistency. While these tips may seem straightforward, applying them regularly will help you maintain a streamlined inbox without feeling overwhelmed. A clean inbox not only boosts productivity but also reduces stress, making it easier to focus on more important tasks.